The non-profit Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) will launch an aggressive automotive trade and consumer outreach initiative in 2007 to help build consumer trust and satisfaction with the automotive maintenance and repair industry.
MAP President Lawrence Hecker said the campaign will include advertising, editorial placements, public service announcements for broadcast media, and direct contact with automotive and consumer-affairs reporters at major newspapers and press syndicates. The program also will include the development of a new series of fliers and brochures designed for use by MAP-participating automotive service providers.
“Now that the MAP Uniform Inspection and Communication Standards (UICS) are well established within the automotive service industry, it’s time to more proactively connect their benefits to the consumer,” Hecker said. “There’s a significant opportunity for shops that adhere to these standards to capture new customer relationships in today’s competitive marketplace, and it is part of our mission to help make that happen.”
Developed through extensive cooperation among AMRA-MAP members and other industry participants, the UICS offer consistent, fact-based alternatives for determining whether specific automotive components are required or suggested to be repaired and /or replaced. The UICS also outline a process for communicating to the consumer the reason to replace a worn component (via a “Reason Code”).
MAP standards cover a broad range of parts and systems, including exhaust; brakes; steering and suspension; engine; HVAC; drivetrain and transmission. Recent additions to the MAP UICS include a 50,000-mile or greater suggested replacement for OE basic hydraulic ride control components (shocks and struts) for improved vehicle performance, replacement guidelines for hydraulic brake fluid that measures 200 ppm or greater copper content, and the suggestion for replacement of a battery that tests “near the end of its useful life” utilizing a tester or on-board monitor able to accurately determine this condition. Each new UICS is examined and approved by the Automotive Maintenance Repair Association, Inc. (AMRA)/MAP Technical Committee before being submitted to the governing board and then AMRA membership for adoption.
For additional information regarding the MAP and AMRA, including membership details and materials available for use by MAP-participating service providers, please visit www.motorist.org, send an e-mail to [email protected], or call (301) 634-4955.
